LIGHT RETURNS / THE WOLF MOON
The cycle of the seasons moves inexorably onward as real, deep winter finally comes to the Southeast Catskills. Now that we’re past the Winter Solstice, each day is a little lighter. Ok, only by minutes, but it is noticeable already. By March/April there will be an additional hour of daylight added on. This will not only help those of us with different degrees of Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD), but also will aid in slightly moderating temperatures and assist in natural snow-melting. Not only does increased daylight work in our favor but so will the heightened angle of the suns rays (keep in mind the sun is at its lowest angle at the solstice), helping them reach deeper into the woods and behind rocks, logs, etc. Some snow would be a good thing, but since we’re going back and forth, warm and cold, it’s not staying. The woods need it to insulate small plants on the forest floor and protect them from overgrazing by deer and as another layer to help protect plant- and tree-roots. The small rodents will be glad to have snow to help hide them from predators (more on this in Fauna).
JANUARY IN WOODSTOCK - is a very dynamic time. The year has turned and the season has changed. Early winter was relatively mild and snowless, but the later half has been anything but. Arctic cold has come down to remind us of winter, accompanied by the first snows of the season. The White-tail Deer are nearly invisible in their winter coats and - like the Wild Turkeys - they try to dodge the night-time probing of Eastern Coyotes. The Black Bears are successfully napping now, though some (mostly males) may wake during a brief warmup and will wake hungry (remember, they absolutely love birdseed). Insects are hiding under bark, leaf and shingle, also ready to unfold in a thaw (which will make a welcome change in the small birds winter diet).
THE WOLF MOON - Wild animals may have a difficult time trying to feed their inner furnaces right now as seeds, grasses or meat can be hard to find - either buried (or hiding) deep under snow and ice, or frozen in the ground. It is possible for predators to starve in this time, as their prey can seem virtually nonexistent and hard to find. Pre-settlement and up through the settlement era, there were many Wolves (mostly Grey, I believe) still in the northeast, until they were finally exterminated in New York around 1900, and like every canine, wild or domestic, they loved to hear themselves talk and, of course, in midwinter their howling carried far in the bitter cold air (many in Northern Europe called this the Wolf Moon, as well, and for the same reasons). Even the trees struggle in this time, with young saplings or the newer branches of older trees sometimes “popping” in the bitter cold as the residual sap freezes (another name for this month is Moon of Popping Trees). Many tribes had their own name for each moon, some calling this moon the Snow Moon, but most keep that for February. My Abenaki ancestors tell of Glooskaps darker twin, Malsum, who took the form of a wolf. Other peoples tell of the Good Wolf of Wisdom battling with the Bad Wolf of Anger. “Which one do you want to feed?” These are examples of Wisdom Stories that would be shared mostly in this cold and dark time around bright, warm fires, sometimes as real wolves howled in the distance.
FLORA - I always appreciate Beech leaves in the winter. Beech is one of the only deciduous trees that keep their leaves on the branch after they turn (Hornbeams and Oaks sometimes do, as well). According to Mike Kudish, one of New York’s premier forestry experts, this is called “marcescence” and is a holdover from when all trees kept their leaves. I love seeing these golden little beauties in the otherwise wan winter woods. They not only add color but will “chatter” in a breeze, adding a nice, soft sound to our quiet cold forest. Another bright spot among our grey and brown will be the bright yellow flowers of the Witch Hazel. It is the only native tree that flowers in the winter, lending us its much-needed color for a short spell. Witch Hazel is also an important herb, most commonly known for its astringent qualities when applied topically. Historically, some farmers in the area distilled and sold it. FAUNA - As far as its effects on animals this seems like an average Catskills winter. Most of our birds have migrated now, which might seem like the easiest thing to do, but it’s not really. Their journey is fraught with many dangers - predators, starvation, tall buildings with - or without - bright lights, blades of wind-turbines, etc. - and not all survive. Local avians (large and small) that haven’t migrated are adapting in their usual fashion to the vagaries of the season. Our burgeoning Bald Eagle population is expanding widely across the entire region. Being predominantly fishing birds (though true opportunistic, pure survivors who will eat anything to get by - no, your kitty is probably safe from their sharp talons) they are showing up increasingly on the Hudson at the moment, feeding on young-of-the-year Striped Bass among the ice-floes. Bald Eagles are busy birds right now, also touching up their nests, getting ready to mate. Once they have eggs they are stalwart parents-to-be, staying on the eggs even through deep snow, freezing rain and wild winds. On the other end of the bird-spectrum is all the Small Birds - the Black-capped Chickadees, Eastern Bluebirds, Bluejays, Northern Cardinals, Dark-eyed Juncos, numerous Sparrows, Woodpeckers, Wrens and the like. But in my mind it is the diminutive, but incredibly tough Chickadees that stand out. These indomitable tiny birds will survive the harshest winters, surviving on anything and everything they can find. In the rest of the year they primarily eat insects. Now their diet will be mainly seeds but they will eat berries, suet, peanuts and occasionally scavenge bits of meat. Incredible creatures, they can memorize the locations of hundreds of seed-caches. Even more amazing to me is their ability to go into torpor, to lower their metabolism, conserving their body fat during the long winter nights. This is huge for these little birds - other small-birds lose up to 7% of their body-fat while sleeping in the cold. Woodfrogs have a different trick to survive winter. They have a glycol-like substance in their blood that allows them to hide - virtually frozen - under leaf-litter near their vernal pools until the first signs of spring trigger their impending wake up.
WINTER IN THE CATSKILLS - If we’re observant, we can find an animal-trail to follow, maybe watch the tracks of a Meadow Mouse disappear into a tiny, snowy crevice, attempting to avoid the hawkish glare. We might flush a Ruffed Grouse from somewhere in the Mountain Laurel (I’d rather not startle any wild creature in this time because they might use up important fat-reserves needed for their survival), but getting to the view-point is worth the effort, just to see the wonderful winter vista of our beautiful Catskills spread out before us, all of its secrets bared for those that want to see. What a great place to live! BE COOL - In this time of stark beauty, I suggest that we all enjoy it as much as we can, but everyone should be very careful in this season. All of the elements are not as much our friend as in the summer, so please dress accordingly, whether on the trail or not. Hat and gloves/mittens are must-haves now. Scarves are a good option as they can help protect ones face from the arctic wind. It’s very important (as always) to wear proper footwear and stay on the trail, whether icy or muddy. If icy, please wear ice-grippers (Hillsounds or Kahtoolahs, for instance, have aggressive teeth and are best for serious trails and YakTrax are ideal for rail- trails or rocky and rooty terrain) and consider using trekking-poles. If muddy, mud-proof boots and please, please, please - walk through the mud and stay on the trail. By going off-trail we create erosion which will need to be repaired. Always have a light or two (both headlamp and flashlight are ideal) with you as the wan daylight still disappears fast now. Please don’t let Fido jump on others. This is rude behavior anytime, but is downright dangerous when footing is already precarious. Keep Warm and please be careful out there. If you do fall, I hope you do it into a nice, thick snowdrift.
Take Care, “Ranger” Dave Holden (845)594-4863
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